Coin-operated vending apparatus



NMA E932, L, @AWWZKH @86542 COIN OPERTED VENDING APPARTUS I Film; March 6. 1930 K 5 sheets-sheet 2 COIN GPERTED VENDEN@ APFARATUS Filed mm3@ 6, 1930 5 sheets-sheet .5

. fn aff/for L. QAWTZK GOIN OPERA-T5 VENDEN@ APPARATUS @30j 5 Shams-Sheet 4 File d March' 6, l

Nov. 8, 1932.. l.. 'RAwl-rzm COIN OPERATED VENDING AIPARATUS Filed Marche; 195o s sheets-sheet 5 @M wwwfb Ww W fw .M QM

'.policy, the person having actuated the ap-.

Patented Nov.V 8, 193g UNITED s'lja'rss'A PATENT OFFICE y Application aie-d Haren 6,1930, smal no.

This invention relates to an automatic, coin-operated vending apparatus intended in theriirst place for issuing insurance policies and such similar or other papers or objects with which it is important to state and `ascertain accurately the point of time at which the apparatus has been actuated. The chief characteristic feature of the present invention is this thatit is equipped with a time marking device which states on acheck that is to be inserted into the apparatus after this latter has issued the insurance policy or the like the oint of time at which also this check had een inserted into the apparatus. Besides ythat time marking device, another time marking device is provided which states on the insurance policy or the like itself the point of time at which the apparatus has issued it, it' being understood that the person who has actuated the apparatus keeps the policy in his portfolio or anywhere else. By providing a time `marking d evice for a policy check that is to be inserted into the apparatus, -especially an automatic, coin-controlled apparatus, after the respective apparatus has issued the respective paratus in order to obtain a personal policy is prevented from transferring it later on to any other person;^the check with the. ascertainment of the time on it renders-such transfer im ossible.

Stating the time of issue merely upon the olicy would not render atransfer impossi- Ele, as then the possibilit remains that the person having taken out t e olicy transfers it at any time later on to anot er person who has met with an accident, but is not in' possession of an insurance policy.. As the policy does not bear the name of its holder, the name `of the other person can then ber written later on upon the check and-this latter only now transfer would actually be inserted into' the .ap aratus wherebya avev been aected. As the point of-.time at which thecheck hasbeen inserted into the apparatusV cannot-'be ascertained by reason of the absence of a time marking device the insurance company is bound toacknowledge the insurance 'm- 4spite of the forbidden transfer, of which the 438,829, and in Germany latch 7, 1929.

company knows nothing.- Such is the order to have it provided with t e second I statement of time. That shortv gap of time is obviously insllilicient' in order to effect a transfer to vanother tically quite out of the question. .y

The 'improved automatic, coin-controlled vending ap aratus is illustrateddiagrammatically and y Way of example on the -accoinpanyin drawings, on which Fig. 1 is a frontplerson having met with van accident )ust at t is time.l That is pracv1ew o an apparatus designed according to this invention ig. 2 is a vertical Sectionin the plane II o Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section similar to that4 of Fig. 2, but showing the i arts .now visible from the other side, viz. rom the left -to the right; Fig. 4 isl a plan ofthe mechanism in the interior of the casj ing; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the time stamping device; Fig. 6 is .a front view of the device; Fig. 7 is a representation of a -card details constituting a gui checkand Fi 9 shows likewise certain de tails by whic ratus is ensured.

Referring to Figs. 1-4, 1 denotes the cas-A ing, in the upper part of which the insurance policies 2 are located; They lie one upon the other 'in vertical position, and they are held frame 3 having vertical guideways. whic are enin this position by means of a U-sha gaged by the vertical rims of the policies. The frame 3 is movable upon a roll 4 perpendicularly with respect to the planes of the policies. At the rear of the frame 3 isV pro.- vided a transverse traverse 5,' to theends of which cords 6 are attached. These cords exthe proper osition of the check when being re-lnserte into the appacomprising the insurance policy proper and the check; Fi 8 shows certain g device for thetend rst horizontally in the direction to the front of the apparatus, are then guided into vertical direction by guide rolls 7, and are at their free end provided with weights 8 which continually tend to draw the frame 3 forward so as to press the policies upon-another and to shift them forwardly when one of them has been withdrawn. The arrow a (Fig. 2) indicates the direction in which the weights 8 act upon the policies. In front of these latter is a stationary vertical traverse 9 against which the policies, more precisely the foremost of them, is pressed by the said weights.

The frame 3 is slidable upon a bottom 10 bearing a shiftable rod 11. The distance between the front edge of the traverse 9 and the front end of said rod 10 can be so adjusted by means of a screw 12 that only one policy, or

, policy card respectively can pass through the gxap left between said ends, but that a certain iction arises while the card is passing through that gap, that friction being so determined that it is stronger than the force of gravity which tends to draw thecard through the said gap.

In order to move downwards the foremo st card of the horizontal pile 2, certain feeding means are provided; they consist of a slide 14 shiftable upon vertical rods 13 and bearing two bell-crank levers 15 which are turnablve on pivots 16. The vertical arm of each of these levers is provided with a rubber covering 17 and the horizontal arm is subjected to the action of a spring 18, by which said rubber covering-is pressed against the foremost policy card. Theslide 14 is moved up and down by means of a mechanism comprising a lever 19 that is turnable on a pivot 20 projecting forth from a lever 21 hinged to a vertical support 22. The opposite end of the lever 19 is provided with a roll 23. Between this roll and the pivot 20 a rod 24 is hinged to the lever 19, and the other, i. e. lower, end of this rod is movably connected with an arm 25, these members 24 and 25 forming an angle one .with another. The arm 25 is hinged to a stationary vertical member 26. The roll 23 can engage from below a pair of rolls 27 supported upon the slide 14.

When the lever 19 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow b in' Fig. 2, the roll-23 engages the rolls 27 and lifts the slide 14 together with the levers 15 and the rubber coverings 17. When the slide is rising the rubber coverings pass along the front surface of the foremost card without taking it along with them, but when the slide is descending, said coverings `engage the foremost card and take it down with them through the gap between the members 10 and 11 sothat said card falls finally into a channel 28 in which it is retained in a position in front of a time marking device presently to be described. The arrangement of the levers 15 is such that the friction between the rubber coverings mentioned and the front surface of the foremost card tends to turn the levers 15 in a direction in which the coverings are pressed against said card still stronger than before.

The object of the time marking device which is attached to the members forming the "channel 28 is to mark upon that part of the is-suited to the purpose' to drive the wheel 3l in such a manner that it makes onecomplete revolution in 24 hours. The wheel 31 is provided with a projection 33 that can engage the teeth 34 of another cog-wheel 35. This wheel is provided with a stamp pin or marking pin 32a. The projection or lug 33 turns the wheel 35 in steps; the arrangement is such that this wheel 34/35 makes one complete revolution in that time in which the wheel 31 makes 10 revolutions, so that the wheel 34/35 has been operated 10 times in that time. The marking pin 32a prints the digits of the day number of the year. upon the policy. The wheel 34/35 has a lug 36 engaging the teeth'37 of another cog-Wheel 38 provided with a marking or stamping pin 32". The wheel 37/38 is turned by a certain angle at every complete revolution of the wheel 34/35. Also in this case the ratio is such that vthe wheel 37/38 makes one complete revolution when the wheel 34/ 35 has made ten revolutions. The marking pin 32b stamps the tens of the respective day of the year. Finally the wheel 37/38 is provided with a lug 29'engaging the toothing 40 of a cog-wheel 41 bearing a marking pin 32c stamping upon the card thel hundreds of the day in the respective year. supposing, the policy has been bought on the 11th of July of the respective year, that is to say, on the 192nd day of that year, the marking pin 32a will stamp the 2, the marking pin 32" will stamp the 9, and the marking pin 32c will stamp the 1. In Figs. 5 and 6 the wheels concerned are arranged side by side, in a row, in order to show the arrangement and combination of the co-operating members more distinctly, but in reality I prefer to arrange thewheels concerned in the form of a triangle, as indicated in Fig. 1, in which these wheels are indicated by dotted lines.

Each of the marking pins 32, 32, 32b and 32' is shiftable in a bearing-forming-sleeve 42 and is subjected to the` pressure of a helical spring 43,l bearing at its one end against the respective wheel and at its other end against a head 44 secured to the respective in. In this position the pins are unactive,

ut they can be rendered active by means of a pressure plate 45 (Fig. 5) which is firmly connected with another plate or frame A'4e connected in tum with shiaable pins 4s.

channel 28. l are in the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig; 2, but when the rod 56 is moved as` pressions or In` Fig. 6 a plate 45 common to all pins 32 is shown, but instead thereof individual ,plates of circular or annular shape may be used for the individual pins. The plates and 46 are held in their inactive position (Fig. 5) by helical compressive springs 49 arranged as shown in this igure. When the two plates mentioned are moved forwardly, viz.-in the direction indicated by the arrow c, the plate 45 engages the marking p ins and presses them against the insurance or other policy card located in front of them, and provides it at the places concerned with imperforations indicating in their entirety the day of the'year, as already stated, also by way of an example. The

vplate 46 is moved forwards by the intermediary of a roll 50 by means hereinafter described. In order to prevent the policy or policy card from giving way when the pins are pressed against it, a suitably located backing 47 is provided. f

The policy or card to be stamped is held in proper position in the channel 28 with the aid of turnable lugs 52 (Figs. .2 and 3') ailixed to a shaft 53. At one end of this shaft is vprovidedl a lever 54 which is sub-` jected to the' action of ,a'spring 55. The upper end of the lever 54 is movably connected with al rod 56 supported also by a movable rod 57 hinged to Ia suitable part o f the frame by means of a pin 58. The rod y56 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow d just prior to the policy card falling into the Ordinarily, the projections 52 just stated said projections get into the position drawn in full lines in Fig. 2, in which position they are located just below said channel and are able to retain the card therein. When then the stamping of the day of the yearv has been ei'ected, the projections 52 are turned back into their former position and the card can now fall down into a deliverypassage 59,.by and through which it is delivered to the buyer.

` subdivided into smaller policy or policy card has a circle of numerals indicating the 24 hours of a day. In the practical execution each of the 24 spaces is spaces of, say, 5 minutes, and laterally from this hourcircle are three smaller circles' 2 2l 2f, eacln of lrst. Fig.

which bears the numerals 0-9 by which the digits, the tens, and the hundreds indicatingv the day of the year, at which thepolicy has been bought (as already` fully explained), are give It has already been stated that the appa-4 ratusis provided with two time marking devices, of which the second is intended to imprint the time upon a check forming a part of the policy and serving for preventing transfer of this latter to another person. The'second timemarking'device is to be operated ractically immediately after the i) shows that the policy consists ofa main portion bearing the numeral circles described in the preceding paragraph, ,and of an appendix 2g which constitutes the check and bears a numeral circle 2l corresponding with the numeral circle 2b and belng subdivided just in the same inanner. In

order to save space in the apparatus, the l mechanism is so designed that the policies can be-inserted into the frame 3 in folded State, each polic being folded along the line 2k (Fig. 7), an the folded policies being so inserted into said frame that the numeral circles 2c 2d 2t lie opposite the time marking pins, the check forming, therefore, the back of the folded policy.l

fThe. person having inserted a coin ofy the prescribed value into the slot and having received, or bought in this way, a policy purchaser writes his nainecand address into the l free space between the E ircles 2c 2l 2t and the circle 2- and severs the' check which is solely the portion b'earingthe circle 2*, lefthand from the V oblique dotted line 2h) from the main portionvof the policy, whereafter he reinserts the check (solely the check l) into the apparatus throu h a slot 60 (Fig. 4) provided especially or this purpose. When the check has been re-inserted in proper position i (as will presently be described) into the appartus, its lower edge gets between two elastic cheeks 61 of a catch 62 actuated by a lever 63. One end of this lever engages, by the intermediary of a-pin 64 (Fig. 2), the screw-- Y shaped slot 65` of a semi-cylindrical control drum 66 (Fig.,4) Vwhich is affixed to a shaft 67 provided with a manually operable crank 68. Laterally from the drum 667are cams 69. (Fig. 2) provided which co-operate with pins 70 aixed to a frame 71 designed like l the frame 46 of Fi 71 is actuated-by 72'* located in a means of an intermediate wheel 73 in such a manner that it performs a complete revolug.' 5. When the frame the cams 69 al pressure pin tion in 24 hours. -The manner in which said ressure pin is supported in the toothed disk 2 corresponds to the manner of supporting the pressure pin 32 in the toothed disk 31.

toothed disk 72 is driven by 74 denotes an oblique abutment surface, the v Obliquity of which corresponds to theob-- 4liquity of the perforation 2h.

Iffa oint of time is to be marked u' on thec'hec the procedure is as follows: A er the check has been inserted, or re-inserted respectively, into the apparatus and its lower edge has arrived between the clamping cheeks 61, the handcrank 68 is turned whereby a spring will be put under tension; in consequence thereof the control drum'66 is turned in the direction indicated by the larrow e (Fi 2) whereby the spiralhaped groove 65 whic co-operates with the pin 64 turns the lever 63 in such a direction and to such an extent that the oblique edge of the check is pressed firmly against the abutment surface 74. When then the drum 66 is further turned, the cheeks 61 slide along the lower edge of the check, as this is retained in its place by the abutment 74 and cannot, therefore, be moved. But prior to the cheeks-61 leaving the check, the cam 69 has come in contact with the rod 70 and has moved forward the frame 71, in consequence whereof the point of time 4 at which this takes place will be marked upon the check. The crank 68 is, however, still further turned until the check has been disengagedfrom the catch 61 and can now fall down onto the bottom of the apparatus. Thereafter the crank is left to itself, and the spring 7 5\will turn it, as well as the drum 66 and the lever 63, together with the catches 61 and 62, back into their initial position.

The entire operation is initiated by throwing a coin intov the slot provided for this purpose at the front side of the casing (the lefthand side of Fi 2). The coin slides down along a chute 6 (Fig. 2) and arrives finally in a U-shaped coupling member 77 (Figs. 2 and 4). Between the legs of this member extends a tongue 78 which is af- Xed to the shaft of another manually operable crank 79. When the coin 80 (Fig. 4) has arrived between the members l77 and 78 these members will thereby be coupled with one another so that when the member 78 is turned also the member 77will be turned.

There is'provided in this member a pawl 81 which co-operates with a ratchet-wheel 82 secured to a shaft 83. This shaft is also provided with three arms 84, and 86, and the ratchet-wheel 82 is, in correspondence with said arms, provided with three teeth located with respect to one another under angles of 120, which is true also of said three arms, as shown in Fig.r 2.

Now` when the coin has coupledthe members 77 and 78, the crank 79 is turned for about120o whereby the spring 87 will be put under tension and the member 77 will take the member 78 round with it.v Also the pawl 81 takes the ratchet-wheel 82 roundl with it whereby also the shaft 83'will be turned, and this shaftjurns the armlstar 84, 85, 86. When the parts are inthe position shown in Fig. 2, theV rotation of the arm-star causes the following further movements: First the end of the arm 86 engages the knee formed by the levers 24 and 25 whereby the lever 24 is raised, the rod 19 is turned upwardly, and also the slide 14 is shifted upwardly. As soon as the arm 86 has so much been turned that its upper end leaves said knee, the lifted slide 14 falls under the action of the gravity and conveys by and during this movement `an insurance policy, or a policy card respectively, into forwards and the point of time at which this v takes place is marked upon the policy in the manner already fully described in a preceding part of'this specification.

At the end of the rotary movement of the arm-star also the front end of the arm 84 slides away over the roll 50 and the frame 46 is drawn back into its original position by the springs 49. When now the crank 79 is left to itself, also it is turned back into its former position by the spring 87, and also the members 77 and 78 return into their initial position. The pawl 81 slides away over the wheel 82 without taking it along with it, as this wheel is prevented from turning in that direction by the locking spring 88. VThe c'oin had left the members 77 and 78 when the return movement of the crank 86 had commenced. f y f For actuating the holding lugs 52 (Fig. 3)

a. triple cam89 is provided upon the end' of the shaft 83. Any one of thethree cams can shift the rod. 56 in the direction indicated by the arrow d in Fig. 3. With respect to y the arm-star 84, 85,86 the arrangement of said triple cam-is such that the holding lugs 52 are in their holding position during that time in which a policy card is present 1nV the channel 28 in order to receive the marking' ofthe time. When this has been effected by i the action of the arm-star upon the roll 50, that member of the triple cam which just has been active slides o from the rod 56, so that the spring 55 can move this rod back into the position shown in Fig. 3. The stam ed or marked card is now no more held ast by the lugs 52 and,.therefore, dropped into the channel 59. l

It is suited to the purpose of the yapparatus to provide means reventing actuation of the crank 68 if no pollcy has been bought, as well as means for closing the insertion slot 60 (Fig. 4) in such acase. These arrangements and combinations of parts comprisen a locking cam 90 that is `secured to the shaft 67 of the crank 68, and furthermore a plate 91 which is subjected to the action of a spring 92 and is connected with a locking lug 93, the position of vwhich is suchthat it can loc vthe cam l90of theshaftl 67 of the crank 68,

y whereas the' plate 91 can enter into the place portion of the policy. But as soon asthe.

, check has beenA thrown into said slot and the crank 68 is now turned, the cam 90 contacts with a pin 94 connected with the plate 91 closed. At vthe end of-the movement'of the crank 68 a locking *member 95 engages a locking lug 96 projecting forth from a lever 97 supported on a pivot 98. After'the member 95 has en aged the lug 96 at the rear thereof the dis 91 is prevented from being turned rearwardly by the Aspring' 92 even if the crank 68 is moved back into its initial position by the spring 75. During this rear'- ward movement the lug 90 of the shaft 67 slides behind the elastically supported locking lug 93 which alsohas been shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow f, so

that another actuation of the crank 68 is prevented. The crank can be released and the slot be opened only when the lug 96 has released the locking member 95, whereafter the sprin 92 can move the parts 91 and 93 back into t e position shown in Fig. 3. The locking member 95 can be released, for instance,

. in this way that a coin or another object is thrown down into the chute 99 and falls upon the free end of the lever 97 wherebythis lever will be turned and the lug 96' will be disengaged from the locking member 95. That other objectjmay be, for instance,-a pencil, the sectional shape of which corresponds to that of the slot in question and .which may be delivered (by means .not shown and not forming parts of this invention) together with the insurance policy. After that pencil has been used by the person concerned for writing-his name and address upon the policy vat the place therefor provided, it is also used for disengaging the locking members that have prevented an undue actuationof the time marking device provided for the check, as described.

Means have also been provided for preventing putting the check'into the apparatus in a. wrong position: It will be `obvious that the time marking device provided for the check can act upon the numeral circle 2l of the check in the proper manner only if theche'ck is in the proper position, and for this'purpose, first of all, the Severin line 2h is oblique, as shown in Fig. 7. lready the cooperation of the oblique edge 2h (after it has been severed off from the'pohcy proper) vwith the correspondingly oblique abutment .that he has made a fault, w (tinctly, from the fact that a part of the check ofthe check, as otherwise this latter cannot be fully' introduced into the apparatus. The respective person will, thusuperceive at once remains outside the casing.

ch appears dis- But nevertheless I have provided the sepa- I evce is provided a flap 101 which is turnable on anI axle 102 and is kept, by a small in order to be imprinted by the time marking v and the lug 93, and this plate and the pawl 93 d are now moved in the direction indicated by the arrow f (Fig. 3) so that the slot 60 isv weight 103, in a certain slight oblique position in which it forms an angle a withy the vertical,

this angle being smaller than the angle that determines the degree of the obliqulty of the edge 2. The axle 102 may be shifted counter to the action of a spring 104, and {there is provided at it an abutment member 105 which when these. parts are in the position shown in Fig. 9 can just pass in front of a stationary abutment member 106.

If the check 2g is introduced into the slot I 100 (Fig. 3) in its proper position, as in Fig.

9, first its lower corner 2k pushes onto the l lower end .of the flap. 101, and the vturning moment exerted upon the flap is comparatively great by reason of the longlever-arm, but the transverse force in the direction of the slot orfchannel is only slight vso that-the fia-pis instantly swung upwards without a material shifting of the axle 102. Thus, the abutment member passes in front of the abutment member 106 without touching it.`

If, however, the check has been introduced inl wrong position, first any of the corners at the opposite rim, for instance the corner2m (Fig. 9), comes in contact with the flap 101,l

and now the lever-arm of the turning-mo-4 liap is only small. Consequently, the trans-A `verse force is comparatively great', so thatthe shaft 102 is moved counter to the action of the spring 104 in the direction indicated by the arrow g before the iap has been turned by a perceptible angle. Owing to the shift? ing the abutment member 105 has been moved below the abutment member 106, in consedelivered, as well as a check; a time marking device indicatingupon said article the point of time of its delivery, means 4for receivin the check, lanother time marking device indi- 'eating upon said check the time of its defl This is, of course, a. distinct izo las

105u ment causing the lateral movement of the A' livery into the apparatus after the delivery of the said article therefrom, and a clockwork to operate said two time marking devices.

automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination, coin controlled means for releasing the article next to be delivered as well as a check intended to be forth.

3. An automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination, coin-controlled means for releasing the article next to-be delivered, as well as a check intended to be re-introduced into the apparatus after the delivery of the article, a time marking device adapted to indicate upon said article the point of time of its delivery, means for receivin the check, another time marking device'a apted to indicate upon said check the oint of. time of its delivery to said receiving means, anda clock-work to operate said two time marking devices.

4. An automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination, coin-controlled means for releasing the article next to bedelivered, as well as a check, a time marking device indicating. upon said article the point of time of its delivery, means for receiving the check and another time marking device indicating upon said check the time of its delivery to said receiving means in the apparatus after the delivery of the said article,

each ti me marking device comprising a print-l ing pin adapted to be pressed against the object which is to receive the time indication, a rotary disk so arranged with respect to said pin as to be adapted to move it into proper `position at the proper point of time, and

means for turning said disk once in twentyfour hours. g

5. An automatic vendlng apparatus, .com-

prisin in combination, coin controlled means for re easing the article next to be delivered, as well as a-checka time marking dev1ce 1n dicating upon saidk article thepoint of tn'ne .of its delivery, means for receiving the` check and another time marking device indicating upon said check the time ofjltsdelivery to said receiving means in the apparatus after the delivery of the said check and article from said apparatus,` the first-mentioned time marking device comprising a rotary disk performing one revolutionin twen- Y ...ty-four hours and serving for indicating the time of the delivery day of the article, and three additional rotary disks, the ratio of rotation of which is 1 10: 100, one of said disks serving for indicating upon said articlethe digit of the day of the year of the delivery of said article, another serving for indicating upon the article the tens, and the third serving for indicating the hundreds of the respective day, clockwork means for rotating all said disks, and means for imprinting1 the several indications upon the said artic e.

6. An automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination, coin controlled means for releasing the article next'to be delivered, as well as a check; a time marking device indicating upon said article the point of time of its delivery, means for receiving the check and another time marking device indicating upon said check the time of its delivery to said receiving means in the apparatus after the delivery of the said 'check and article from the apparatus, each time markvof time of its delivery, means for recelvmg thev check and another time marking device indicating upon said check the time of its delivery to said receiving means in the apparatus after the delivery of the said article and'check from said apparatus, each time marking device comprising a printing pin adapted to be pressed against the object which is to receive the time indication, a rotary disk so arranged with respect tosaid pin as to be adapted to move it into proper position'atthe proper point of time, means Y for' turning said disk once in twenty four hours', a plate so arranged with respect to said pin as to be adapted to shove it forward, and means for actuating said plate.

` 8. An apparatus for the automatic vending of fiat articles stored in the form of a pile from which they are to be singly delivered,

comprising, n combination, members forming a gap, the breadth of which corresponds to the breadth of one of said articles, coincontrolled means for conveying the articles singly into said gap; a time marking device adapted to indicate upon every article the time of its delivery; means for holding the article having passed through the said gap in a position in which said time markmg device can act on it, means for actuating this i tive article thereafter.

4:escamas y 7 device, and means for releasing the respecarranged in front of said pile and contacting' with the foremost article, a U-shaped holder located behind the pileA and pressing said foremost article against said ledge, means for pressing said holder aga-inst the pile, a horizontal ledge located below the pile, and being `remote from the front edge of the said vertical edge by so much as corresponds'to the' breadth of one of said articles; coin-controlled means for conveying the articles suigly into said-gap; a time marking deviceadapted to indicate upon every article the time of its delivery; means for holding the article having passed through the said ap inv a. position in which said time marking eviceV can act on it, means for actuating this device,

vand means for releasing the respective article thereafter.

10. An apparatus for the automatic bending of flat articles stored inthe form o f a pile from which they are to be singly delivered, comprising, in combination, members forming a gap, the breadth of which corresponds to the breadth of one of said articles, means for varying the width of said gap, and a screw for operating these means; coin-controlled .means for conveying the article singly into said gap; a time marking device adapted to indicate upon every article the time of its delivery; means for holding the article having passed through the said gap in a position in which said time marking device can act on it, means for actuating this device, and means for releasing the lrespective article thereafter Ysponds to the Vcoin-controlled means for conveying the ar- ;in a position in w 11.. An apparatus for the automatic vending of fiat articles stored in the form of a pile vfrom which they are to be singly (ielivered, comprising,l in combination, members forming a'gap), the breadth of which correreadth of one-of said articles,

ticles singlyinto said gap; a time marking device ada ted to indicate u on every article the time of) its delivery; cloc work means .for said time marking device, means for holding the article having Eassed through the said gap ich said time marking de! vice can actl on it; a cam-star adaptedto actuate said conveying means, as well as said time marking device, and means for releasing the respective article thereafter.

12. An' apparatus for the automatic vending of cards stored in the form of a pile from 'which they are to be singly delivered, comprising, in combination, a time marking de- 'vice for marking on every card the point of time of its delivery; clockworkassociated with said time marking device, coin controlledmeans to deliver cards singly to said time marking device, hooks so arranged as to support every card while the time indication is made on it means for releasing the card thereafter and means for delivering it outofthe apparatus. l 'f3 13. An apparatus for the automatic vend- .ing of cards stored in the-form of a pile from l which they'are to be singly delivered, vcomprising, in combinatiom-a time marking device adapted to mark on every card the point of time of its delivery; clockwork to operate said time marking device, coin-controlled means for delivering cards singly to said time marking device, hooks so arranged as to support every card while the timeindication is made on it; a cam-star so arranged as to be,l

adapted toactuate said timemarking device;

a shaft supporting'said cam-star; another said slot into the apparatus after the delivery of the articles, clockwork associated with said two time marking devices, means for closing said slot, and means for rendering said closing means inoperative.

15. An-automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination, coin-controlled means for releasing the article next to be delivered, as well as a check, a time marking device indicating upon said article the point of time of its delivery, means for receiving the check, another time marking device indicating upon said check the time of its delivery into the receiving means of the apparatus1 lafter the delivery of the saidarticle; clockwork associated with said-two time marking devices, check conveying means so designed as to be adapted to move'the' check positively into the proper positionfor providing it with the time indication, substantially as set forth'. 16. An automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination, coin-controlled means' for releasing the article next to be delivered, as well as a check, a time marking device indicating upon said article the point of time of itsdelivery, means vfor receiving the check, another time markinghdevic'e indicating upon said check the time yof its deliveryinto the relivery of the said article; clockwork associated with said two time marking devices, check conveying means so ldesigned as to be adapted to move the check positively into the proper ceivlng means of the apparatus after the de- 4 position for pi'oviding it with the time indication, and an abutment member against which the said check is placed by said check conveying means, substantially as set forth.

17. An automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination,coin-controlled means for releasing the article next to be delivered, as well as a check, a time marking device indicating upon said article the point of time of its delivery, means for receiving the check, another time marking device indicating upon said check the time of its delivery into the receivingmeans of the apparatus afterthe delivf'cry of the said article; clockwork associated with said two time marking devices, check conveying means to move the check posit-ively into the proper position for providing' it with the time indication,a cam disk to actuate said check conveying means, and said check time marking device, means for actuating said cam disk, and means for transmitting the motions from said cam disk to said means and device, substantially as set forth.-

18. An automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination, coin-controlled means for releasing the article next to ,be delivered, as well as a. check, a time marking device indicating upon said article the point ot' time of its delivery, means for receiving the check, another time marking device indicating upon said check the time of its delivery into the receiving means of the apparatus after the delivery of the said article; clockwork associated with said two time marking devices, check conveying means comprising two clamping cheeks for clamping fast one rim of the check, an abutment member against which the check is placed by said cheeks, and

means for moving the cheeksfurther until they have left said check, rim, substantially as set forth.

19. An automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination, a casing with a slot, coin-coiitrolled means for releasing the article next to be delivered, as well as a check, a time marking device indicating upon said article the point of time of its delivery, and another time marking device indicating upon said check the time of its delive into' the apparatusthrough said slot, cloc work associated with said two time marking devices, check conveying means comprising two cheeks so arranged as to clamp fast one rim of the check, an abutment 'member against which the check is laced by said cheeks, and means for moving die cheeks further until they have left said check rim; means for locking simultaneously the said check conveying device, the check time marking device, and for closing the slot, substantially as described.

2Q. An automatic vending apparatus,com-

prising, in combination, a casing with a slot, coin-coiitrolled in eans for releasing the article next to be delivered, as well as a check,

a time marking device indicating upon saidv 'associated with said two time marking article the point oftime of its delivery, and another time marking device indicating upon said' check the time of its delivery into the apparatus through said slot, clockwtrk evices; check conveying means comprising two cheeks so arranged as to clamp fast one rim of the check, an abutment member against which the check is placed by said cheeks, and

means for moving the cheeks further until Athey have left said check rim; means for locking simultaneously the said check coiil veying device, the check time marking device, and' for closing the slot, the slot closing means comp-rising a slide adapted to be shoved behind said slot, a spring moving said slide, a pawl connected with tlie slide, and a lug engaged by said pawl when the slide is in its closing position, and a.l manually o rable crank so connected with the mechanism for actuating the said check conveying device, as well as the time marking device, are actuated, and means for releasing said lockin and closing means, substantially as set fort 21. 'An automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination, a casing with a slot,

coin-controlled means for releasing the article next to be delivered, as well as a check, a time marking device indicating upon said article the point of time of its delivery, and another ing simultaneously the said check convey- .ing device, the check time marking device,

and for closing the slot, the slot closing means comprising a slide adapted to be shoved be.- hind said slot, a spring moving said slide, a

icov

pawl connected with the slide, and a lug enga ed bysaid pawl when the slide is-in its loc ring position, a manually operable crank so connected with the mechanism for actuating said check conveying device, and said time marking device, a doublearmed lever adapt-l ed to release the slot slide and said .crank and gravity means for actuating said double' armed lever.

22. An automatic vending apparatus, comprising, in combination, a casing with a slot,

coin-controlled means for releasing the ar-y ticle next to be delivered, as well asa check, a time marking device indicating upon said article the point of time of its'delivery, and another time marking device indica-ting upon said check the time of its introduction through said slot into 'the apparatus after .l

the delivery of the articles, clockworkassociated with said two time marking devices,

means for insuring the correct introduction of the check into said slot.

23. A policy vending machine comprising coin controlled means for delivering a policy having two sections, means for marking on one of said sections at the time of its delivery, means for receiving the other section which is redeposited in the machine, and means associated with said first named marking means formarking on said second-section the time of redepositin In testimony whereof I aigx my signature.

LEO RAWITZKI. 

